Artist Statement

Painting-or creating-for me is connecting with my soul purpose in life. I am most happy and peaceful when I am painting or expressing creativity in some form. Whether "it" is one second or a moment in time, a sublime expression of an object, or an inspiration of color, I am driven to record and express whatever "it" is in that moment. Drawing and painting realistically or naturalistically draws me into the abstract shapes and forms. I am usually drawing or thinking of an abstract composition initially. So many other artists have influenced and inspired my ideas and expressions, from Georgia O'Keeffe, Emily Carr, Edward Hopper, to the Wyeth family. They have all contributed to my artistic view of achieving expression through charcoal, pastels, or oils. Currently, I am working on pastel landscapes of eastern Washington consisting of rolling hills, wheat fields, and cloudy skies. I find there is always an endless supply of inspirtation and expression to explore and create.